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Inafa'maolek outdoors offers nature adventures to strengthen connections with youth and families and nature. It's an invitation for extended family (community) to move and experience stillness together in nature.  Whether we are hiking in the mountains, playing by the ocean , breathing fresh air under  giant redwood trees, bike-riding over concrete and recognizing the earth below our adventure together provides an opportunity to have fun, care for our bodies and our earth.  

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All outing adventures are led by lifetime physical fitness and wellness educator Verna Castro. For 37 years she has coached youth sports and mentored adults, athletic directors, facilitated teacher trainings, taken students abroad for travel and sports exchange programs as well as facilitated camps and taught physical education. She hopes to share her love of physical activity and nature with the next generation and families.  

 

Neurodiverse Nature Navigators

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In 2024, Inafa'maolek developed the first Neurodiverse Nature Navigators Summer Camp. It was a was a nurturing space for an intentionally small group of elementary aged youth to have fun outdoors growing connection with self, ancestry and nature. 

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We use the language of “neurodiverse” to recognize that there are natural differences in the ways brains work. We believe the inafa’maolek path honors diversity. We seek to nature youth’s sense of empowerment and belong so they can be resilient navigators of life. 

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Activities included swimming (Don Castro Regional Park), hiking, nature journaling, cooperative games, expressive arts / crafts, mindfulness, fishing (Chabot Regional Park), cultural / academic enrichments. 

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Please fill out this survey or contact vernacastro@inafamaolek.us now to express interest as a participant or volunteer for 2025!

 

Does more hiking feel like Inafa'maolek for your body, soul and relationships or are you completely new to hiking and curious? 

 

Inafa’maolek Outdoors looks forward to meeting you and joining many of the naturalist led programs through the East Bay Regional Parks (EBRP). Please check our calendar for details of when and where we'll be meeting-up to hike this year. If there are challenges that you might experience, please let us know during registration so we can try to assist with accommodations. 

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​Let's have some fun outdoors!